Fire and Rescue NSW is urging the public to wake up to the risks of lithium-ion battery products amid a spate of dangerous fires.
FRNSW crews have responded to 13 lithium-ion battery fires across NSW since the start of the month, including four incidents in a 12 hour period last week.
So far in 2025, there have been 25 lithium-ion-related fires.
In one incident in Sydney’s southwest, firefighters extinguished an e-scooter that had exploded and caught fire. Two men sustained injuries, one from flying shrapnel and the other from smoke inhalation.
While investigations are ongoing, it is believed the fire was caused by an incorrect charger being used in tandem with a modified device, two of the leading causes of lithium-ion battery related fires.
“We had at least 318 lithium-ion battery fires in NSW last year, that’s well up on the 272 of 2023 and 165 of 2022, we know they are on the rise, but people are still taking dangerous risks in their homes,” said Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell.
“Please, heed our advice. Lithium-ion fires are happening to households almost every day.
“We had two people die in such a fire last year, we had a family of seven narrowly escape a lithium-related blaze that destroyed their home at Penshurst late last month and we had to rescue three residents and a dog from a high-rise e-bike fire at Merrylands West around the same time.
“People are aware of the risks but are still willing to overcharge their lithium-ion batteries, leave them on charge when they sleep or mix and match power cords. It’s a recipe for disaster and they need to stop now.
“Don’t charge lithium-ion-powered devices near exit points. In at least three of the recent fires, residents were trapped by the flames and were forced to flee through windows.”
A recent NSW Government survey has also highlighted a high-degree of community complacency around the risks associated with the use of lithium-Ion battery products.
The Department of Customer Service (DCS) survey within the community shows that while 44 per cent of people understand the risks associated with the use of lithium-ion battery products, they’re still willing to engage in risky behaviours when charging their portable devices.
The findings include:
• 73 per cent of people charge devices while unattended
• 70 per cent charge batteries near living spaces or exits
• 64 per cent leave devices plugged in after charging
• 51 per cent use low-quality chargers or batteries
Overall, the survey also showed there was limited knowledge about how to safely use lithium-ion battery products, with around 32 per cent of respondents not knowing how to implement safety measures and 29 per cent being unsure how to implement safety measures.
To stop poor quality lithium-ion battery powered e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards entering the market NSW Fair Trading introduced new product safety standards on February 1.
The safety standards ensure these devices (known as e-micromobility vehicles) as well as their associated batteries and chargers are built with safe and compliant components.
The NSW Government also plans on introducing an information standard in late February, which ensures critical safety information about e-micromobility vehicles is provided to consumers at the time of sale.
The new information standard will cover product safety information, fire safety and emergency procedures, product end of life and storage, as well as electrical safety and advice on road rules.
Under the changes retailers and manufacturers will be required to provide the guidance prescribed in the information standard, or face fines of up to $5,500 per breach.
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Anoulack Chanthivong, said action needed to be taken.
“We know poorly designed and built lithium-ion batteries present a real and potentially life-threatening risk to consumers, contributing to more than one fire per week across NSW,” he said.
“In response to these risks the NSW Government is progressing the introduction of Australia’s most comprehensive regulatory regime for e-micromobility devices.
“But regulations can’t stop poor consumer behaviour and the high number of fires Fire and Rescue NSW responded to last week should be a wakeup call to people with these products.
“If you own a lithium-ion battery product, stop risking your life and your family’s lives, make sure you follow the advice on how to charge and use these devices safely.
“All the information and guidance you need can also be easily found on the NSW Government website.”
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.